LUMBERTON — Blueberries found their way into Mississippi after Hurricane Camille in 1969 wiped out the state’s tung nut crop and farmers were looking for an alternative.
The first blueberry bushes were brought in from southern Georgia and northern Florida in the early 1970s.
Now, says Donna Marshall, a horticulturist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Southern Horticultural Laboratory in Poplarville, Mississippi has 2,000-to-3,000 acres of blueberries.
Marshall says the state’s timing is also unique. She says Mississippi’s berries ripen earlier than Northern states’ berries and after South America’s growing season has ended.
And the berries are readily available — at various festivals over the next couple of months to U-pick farms across South Mississippi.
At U-pick farms, customers provide the picking power at $6 to $10 per gallon.
“It’s gonna be a great season this year. Lots of berries,” said Amy Phelps of Pearl River Blues Berry Farm in Lumberton.
Those who sell their crops commercially for local grocers and national distributors also foresee a good year.
“Mississippi is about seventh in the nation in blueberry production, with about eight million pounds a year,” said John Braswell, Extension Service horticultural specialist for fruit crops, who has promoted Mississippi blueberries since the 1980s.
Braswell said 80 percent of the state’s blueberries are in the southeast corner of the state.
About one-fifth of those farmers open their crops for public picking, and Henry Turner of Vancleave is one of them.
After trying commercial growing with hired pickers and machines, Turner decided he enjoys the U-pickers best. His Spring Lake Berry Farm has 6,000 bushes.
“Once people taste a fresh berry picked right off the bush, they are hooked,” Turner said. “With all the new studies that show the health benefits, even more people are wanting to pick fresh berries.
Charlie Dabbs of Dabbs Farm in Saucier also advises calling in advance, whichever farm you choose, to check on crop availability, hours and directions.
One recent Sunday, Dabbs said he had so many pickers that “they practically stripped the bushes so I had to wait a few days for more to ripen.”
Crop abundance can vary from farm to farm, according to how many pickers have visited. The weather and time of the season, which generally runs from late May to mid-July, also affects which varieties will be available.
The USDA’s Marshall said a research team is trying to develop a larger and healthier blueberry, and the fruit is helping define Poplarville.
On June 13, the town will host the 26th annual Pearl River County Blueberry Jubilee. The downtown event that promotes the blueberry industry will feature arts and crafts, music, storytelling, a beauty pageant, an auto show, food booths and a 5K run.
Jubilee spokeswoman Tammy Krutzfeldt said about 200 vendors will be present.
“There are lots of blueberry products,” she said. “A blueberry queen will be crowned. For the first time, we will have a blueberry recipe contest for desserts and salads. Next year, we hope to expand it.”
Those who want to sample blueberries a little earlier can travel to Ocean Springs on Saturday to the fourth annual Red, White & Blueberry Festival.
Diane Claughton, co-founder of the Ocean Springs Fresh Market, said the market and Chamber of Commerce jointly sponsor the event.
“We will have about eight blueberry farmers and 40 booths,” she said.
Kenny Ward, owner of Kenny Ward’s restaurant in Ocean Springs, will show spectators how to cook a grilled, skinless duck breast with a blueberry and red wine reduction sauce, while Debbie Patout of Rene’s Quality Meats will create a blossom croissant with creme brulee and fresh blueberries.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Claughton said.
Local News
Blueberries: Miss. research efforts bearing fruit
- Local News
-
-
SAFETY DAY
Picayune Police officers made a visit to the First Baptist Church of Picayune’s preschool class for their Community Helpers Safety Day. During the event the kids got to meet police officers and trigger lights and sirens in patrol vehicles.
- Escapee caught in county Pearl River County Sheriff’s deputies have captured the inmate who escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday after attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
- Council discusses which funds to spend first On the same day as the ground breaking for the addition to the historic City Hall, city council members discussed which funds to spend first in its construction.
-
Poplarville aldermen honor Holliday, get audit report briefing
The city board of aldermen honored former District Three Supervisor Hudson Holliday at its Tuesday night meeting.
Mayor Billy Spiers presented Holliday with a framed resolution of appreciation for his dedication and service to the city while serving as county supervisor.
-
MRI INSTALLED
This $1.2 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment was installed at the new location of Highland Community Hospital.
-
Hall suspected of robbery after escaping
A man who escaped from jail after attending his father’s wake is suspected of having carried out an armed robbery on the Texas-Arkansas state line. Johnny Hall escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
-
City Hall expansion groundbreaking held
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday at the construction site for the expansion of the historic Picayune City Hall. “You can see our future when you look down Goodyear Boulevard. You see Chimney Square, our high school, The Link at First Baptist Church, Jack Read Park and then our historic City Hall.
-
PRC athletic director says he’ll recommend random drug testing
Pearl River Central athletic director Andy Kivlan told the school board at its Monday night meeting that he will most likely recommend that students participating in extracurricular activities, including band and ROTC, be subject to random drug screening.
-
Supervisors adopt resolution encouraging more economic development in South Miss.
Following a short presentation by State Sen. Tony Smith (R-Picayune), the board of supervisors adopted on Monday a resolution encouraging state officials and agencies to exercise “fairness and parity” regarding location of new industries in Mississippi.
-
MDEQ wants comprehensive waste disposal plan from county
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has told Pearl River County it wants a comprehensive waste disposal plan for the county. Supervisors indicated at their Monday meeting that they are not happy with the request.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
